I am excited to announce two excellent Life Enrichment resources coming your way in August of 2009.
1) Treasures of the Heart Music Program-this multi-sensory music program, designed specifically for The Goodman Group, includes 70+ of your resident's favorite songs! Questions have been designed, at multiple levels, that will provide residents with the opportunity to successfully reminisce favorite memories. Included will be: facilitators manual including directions and suggested adaptations, 13 theme program outlines, 4 Cd's, 1 DVD, and song books. A Conference Call previewing this program will be provided (TBD)
2) Valiant Veterans Activity Resource Guide-In need of new Veteran's Club activity ideas? This resource will share successful Veteran's Club activities and events that have taken place in each of the Goodman Group communities and will include an detail on each activity and/or event.
Monday, August 3, 2009
National Assisted Living Week: September 13th-19th
National Assisted Living Week is right around the corner!
Let the planning begin...
Theme: Traditions of the Heart
Date: September 13th-19th 2009
Activity Theme Ideas Include:
* Traditional Fun and Games
* Musical Traditions
* Tradition of Working with Your Hands
* Recording History and Tradition
* A Generation of Traditional Classics
* Culinary Traditions
For a complete planning guide, and for more information on the theme ideas listed above go to:
www.ncal.org
Let the planning begin...
Theme: Traditions of the Heart
Date: September 13th-19th 2009
Activity Theme Ideas Include:
* Traditional Fun and Games
* Musical Traditions
* Tradition of Working with Your Hands
* Recording History and Tradition
* A Generation of Traditional Classics
* Culinary Traditions
For a complete planning guide, and for more information on the theme ideas listed above go to:
www.ncal.org
More Than Just a Game!
Life Enrichment: It’s more than Just a Game!
Katie Westberg, C.T.R.S.
Director of Life Enrichment
The Goodman Group
When you walk into The Commons on Marice in Eagan, MN on a Sunday afternoon you will find an Ice Cream Parlor filled with 30 residents enjoying Bingo. It’s not unusual to see grandchildren sitting alongside of their grandparent, gently coaching them to victory, or to witness a volunteer patiently repeating the numbers that were recently called. Although Bingo has long been a favorite activity amongst residents in senior living facilities, the great news is “activities” now means so much more. Activity programs now offer a variety of life enriching experiences that focus on providing the individual with opportunities to experience success in all they choose to do.
Common activities offered include choices such as, Stretch and Flex, News and Views, Book Club, Craft Corner, Watercolor Expressions, Aromatherapy, Sudoku Challenge, a variety of outings, and much more. Activities are developed according to the unique needs, interests, and abilities of those residents who reside in each individual community. Although structure and routine are very important to residents, activities should change with them. It is the responsibility of the Life Enrichment Director to continually evaluate the effectiveness of the activities offered.
Trends in Life Enrichment are also quickly changing. Feed back on satisfaction surveys now shows us that individuals who live in senior living facilities do not rate their satisfaction on “opportunities to have fun,” that seems to be a given. Instead individuals are asking themselves, Do Life Enrichment programs offer residents with activities that provide a sense of purpose, as well as an opportunity to give back to the local community? And, do activities allow the residents to learn new skills? In an article put out by the American Association of Retired Persons in April of 2008 one individual summarized, “people want to form communities irrespective of distance, they want to be connected.”
Life Enrichment programs are quickly adapting to this exciting culture change by developing and implementing new and creative programs. Presently, you may find residents volunteering their time by reading to children of a local day care, assembling Viles of Life for the American Red Cross, participating in Veteran’s Club activities such as adopting a soldier who is currently serving in our military, as well as overseeing a food drive during the holiday season. Residents are learning new skills such as, playing the Nintendo Wii, email and browsing the internet, as well as learning Yoga and even sign language.
Although the day when Bingo is no longer a part of the activity schedule is far from near, senior living facilities can proudly say they offer much more. Moving into senior living, although never easy, should not make the individual feel limited but rather, that there are limitless activities and experiences offered. It is truly…more than just a game!
Katie Westberg, C.T.R.S.
Director of Life Enrichment
The Goodman Group
When you walk into The Commons on Marice in Eagan, MN on a Sunday afternoon you will find an Ice Cream Parlor filled with 30 residents enjoying Bingo. It’s not unusual to see grandchildren sitting alongside of their grandparent, gently coaching them to victory, or to witness a volunteer patiently repeating the numbers that were recently called. Although Bingo has long been a favorite activity amongst residents in senior living facilities, the great news is “activities” now means so much more. Activity programs now offer a variety of life enriching experiences that focus on providing the individual with opportunities to experience success in all they choose to do.
Common activities offered include choices such as, Stretch and Flex, News and Views, Book Club, Craft Corner, Watercolor Expressions, Aromatherapy, Sudoku Challenge, a variety of outings, and much more. Activities are developed according to the unique needs, interests, and abilities of those residents who reside in each individual community. Although structure and routine are very important to residents, activities should change with them. It is the responsibility of the Life Enrichment Director to continually evaluate the effectiveness of the activities offered.
Trends in Life Enrichment are also quickly changing. Feed back on satisfaction surveys now shows us that individuals who live in senior living facilities do not rate their satisfaction on “opportunities to have fun,” that seems to be a given. Instead individuals are asking themselves, Do Life Enrichment programs offer residents with activities that provide a sense of purpose, as well as an opportunity to give back to the local community? And, do activities allow the residents to learn new skills? In an article put out by the American Association of Retired Persons in April of 2008 one individual summarized, “people want to form communities irrespective of distance, they want to be connected.”
Life Enrichment programs are quickly adapting to this exciting culture change by developing and implementing new and creative programs. Presently, you may find residents volunteering their time by reading to children of a local day care, assembling Viles of Life for the American Red Cross, participating in Veteran’s Club activities such as adopting a soldier who is currently serving in our military, as well as overseeing a food drive during the holiday season. Residents are learning new skills such as, playing the Nintendo Wii, email and browsing the internet, as well as learning Yoga and even sign language.
Although the day when Bingo is no longer a part of the activity schedule is far from near, senior living facilities can proudly say they offer much more. Moving into senior living, although never easy, should not make the individual feel limited but rather, that there are limitless activities and experiences offered. It is truly…more than just a game!
Intergenerational Activity Idea
Kool-Aid Play Dough
Description: Easy to make play dough, great idea for an intergenerational activity!
Materials: ~1 Medium frying pan ~1 Cup flour~1/4 Cup salt~2 Tablespoons cream of tartar~1 Envelope Kool-Aid unsweetened soft drink mix, any flavor~1 Cup water ~1 Tablespoon cooking oil
Instructions: Mix all ingredients in a medium frying pan.Cook on medium heat 3 to 5 minutes or until mixture forms a ball in pan, stirring occasionally.Cool slightly.Place on floured surface; knead for 1 minute and you are ready to shape and mold.Storage: Store in a zipper-style plastic bag or in plastic containers. Color Chart: For red play dough - use Cherry or Strawberry Flavor For yellow play dough - use Lemonade Flavor (2 envelopes)For green play dough - use Lemon-Lime Flavor For orange play dough - use Orange Flavor For blue play dough - use Blue Moon Berry FlavorFor purple play dough - use Grape Flavor Try some of your favorite flavors to make some electrifying colors that are out of this world!
Description: Easy to make play dough, great idea for an intergenerational activity!
Materials: ~1 Medium frying pan ~1 Cup flour~1/4 Cup salt~2 Tablespoons cream of tartar~1 Envelope Kool-Aid unsweetened soft drink mix, any flavor~1 Cup water ~1 Tablespoon cooking oil
Instructions: Mix all ingredients in a medium frying pan.Cook on medium heat 3 to 5 minutes or until mixture forms a ball in pan, stirring occasionally.Cool slightly.Place on floured surface; knead for 1 minute and you are ready to shape and mold.Storage: Store in a zipper-style plastic bag or in plastic containers. Color Chart: For red play dough - use Cherry or Strawberry Flavor For yellow play dough - use Lemonade Flavor (2 envelopes)For green play dough - use Lemon-Lime Flavor For orange play dough - use Orange Flavor For blue play dough - use Blue Moon Berry FlavorFor purple play dough - use Grape Flavor Try some of your favorite flavors to make some electrifying colors that are out of this world!
Featured August Activity
Jigsaw Contest
Description: At the Jigsaw Championship on August 17, 1986, Donna Klett (age 14) won the American Publishing National Jigsaw Puzzle Championship in Athens, Ohio. She put together a 500 piece puzzle in 1 hour 49 minutes and 28 seconds.
Materials: ~As many jigsaw puzzles as you can find, each box should have 500 pieces~Timer~Sign-up sheet~Tables & chairs~Prizes or certificates~Decorations for activity area to fit the theme~Invitations, optional~Beverages
Instructions: Have a jigsaw championship for the residents! Decide if you want to make this event an in house only contest or if you want to compete against another facility in your area. Invite staff, family members and volunteers to join in. Mail out invitations, if desired. Tell your residents about this event, have them sign-up to participate. Allow them plenty of time to practice. On the day of the event set up the tables & chairs. Have plenty of chairs on the edge for others to sit in & cheer them on. Decorate the room with Jigsaw pieces, banners, etc. Have someone be in charge of telling everyone when to start & begin the timer. Award prizes &/or certificates to the winners. Take pictures of the winners to place in your local paper and your monthly newsletter.
Description: At the Jigsaw Championship on August 17, 1986, Donna Klett (age 14) won the American Publishing National Jigsaw Puzzle Championship in Athens, Ohio. She put together a 500 piece puzzle in 1 hour 49 minutes and 28 seconds.
Materials: ~As many jigsaw puzzles as you can find, each box should have 500 pieces~Timer~Sign-up sheet~Tables & chairs~Prizes or certificates~Decorations for activity area to fit the theme~Invitations, optional~Beverages
Instructions: Have a jigsaw championship for the residents! Decide if you want to make this event an in house only contest or if you want to compete against another facility in your area. Invite staff, family members and volunteers to join in. Mail out invitations, if desired. Tell your residents about this event, have them sign-up to participate. Allow them plenty of time to practice. On the day of the event set up the tables & chairs. Have plenty of chairs on the edge for others to sit in & cheer them on. Decorate the room with Jigsaw pieces, banners, etc. Have someone be in charge of telling everyone when to start & begin the timer. Award prizes &/or certificates to the winners. Take pictures of the winners to place in your local paper and your monthly newsletter.
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